Overview
- Tapping the bottom search bar on Pixel phones now opens the Google app’s full-screen search instead of the Pixel Launcher’s in-launcher sheet.
- Google confirmed to 9to5Google that the change is intentional and billed it as an “upgraded home screen search bar.”
- Reviewers report reduced device-search features, with no quick lookup for contacts or settings and missing shortcuts for Clock, Contacts, Pixel Tips, Play Store, Settings, and Wallet.
- The redesign is intended to let users start and resume AI Mode queries faster and display more suggested apps in the top row.
- Users can partly restore the previous experience via the search bar at the top of the app grid or by enabling the “Swipe up to start search” gesture.